Border Patrol agents arrest previously deported Sureño 13 gang member

border patrol
[Photo courtesy Border Patrol]

TUCSON — A Sureño 13 gang member, Eloy Flores-Balbuena, was apprehended by Brian A. Terry Station Border Patrol agents after he illegally re-entered the country.

On Friday, Flores-Balbuena, a 36-year-old Mexican national was arrested by agents patrolling near Naco. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), agents discovered during processing of Flores that he had multiple removals from the United States, in addition to a 2013 felony conviction of battery in Liberty, Illinois, a crime for which he was sentenced to 176 days imprisonment and 12 months’ probation.

Flores will remain in federal custody pending prosecution for criminal immigration violations involving illegal re-entry of previously removed alien.

The Surenos gang, with roots in Mexico and members in Mexico and the United States is known for committing acts of extreme violence.

The illegal immigrant arrested for Wednesday’s murder of a California officer has been identified as a member of a Mexican-American street gang with a long history of violence.

The gang was recently in the news because Gustavo Perez Arriaga, 33, an illegal immigrant wearing a Sureño gang tattoo, was arrested for allegedly shooting  33-year-old police officer Cpl. Ronil Singh to death in California.

Seven other suspects were arrested for allegedly aiding and abetting Perez Arriaga.

Cpl. Singh of the Newman Police Department was shot to death the morning of Dec. 26, after stopping Perez Arriaga on the suspicion of drunk driving. The Mexican national had two prior DUI convictions. Press reports said he was connected with the Sureño gang.

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